The dandelion flower is recognizable to just about everyone. This is due
to the fact that although these small plants are native to Europe and
Asia, at least two of their species can be found growing wild all around
the world. The dandelion flower is a member of the asteraceae family
and, as is common with other members of this line, has a single head
that is composed of several smaller, yellow ray flowers. The foliage for
this flower is generally lobed, dark green and hairless. The
distinctive lance shape of the leaves were the inspiration for its name –
the Old French dent-de-lion, which means lion’s tooth.
The stems of these flowers are hollow and, when broken, seep a thick, faintly white sap.
Since the entire dandelion flower is perfectly edible, many people over time have used this plant for both culinary and medicinal purposes. When dried and steeped in hot water, these flowers can make a superb diuretic, and are also thought to help in eliminating kidney stones. The milky sap is considered very effective with skin conditions, and can aid in diminishing warts. The flower heads can be eaten uncooked in salads or mixed with vegetables, and the roots may be dried and brewed as a substitute for coffee. There are also many myths and superstitions surrounding the dandelion flower. Two contradictory superstitions state that if you blow on the dried flower ball, the number of seeds that remain can either tell you how many children you will have, or how many more years you will live. If all of the seeds come off, however, you will be granted a wish. In folk myths, the dandelion has been used to tell time and predict the weather. In these stories, the number of times it takes you to blow away all of the seeds from a single flower is the exact hour of the day. The weather, on the other hand, is dependent upon whether or not the head of the flower opens in the morning.
As a symbol, the dandelion flower is the ultimate emblem for persistence and a strong will. It is also thought to represent wishes coming true, cheerful love, and general happiness. As a gift, these small, delicate flowers are certainly unique. Although uncommon, it is possible to give these to someone as a potted plant; however, they are best given freshly clipped and presented as a single yellow flower, so as to represent a sweet, innocent affection; or in its more downy form, encouraging the recipient to make a wish
